The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has issued lifetime expulsions to its nine leaders for participating in the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election in violation of party decisions.
A letter, signed by the party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, was delivered to the respective leaders on Saturday.
Expelled leaders are – Metropolitan BNP convener committee members Sheikh Sajjad Hossain Totan, Ashfakur Rahman Kakon, former joint secretary of Metropolitan BNP Mahbub Kaiser, BNP leader and former councillor Aman Ullah Aman of Ward No 30, Mohila Dal Leader Majeda Khatun of Reserved Ward No 9, Kazi Fazlul Kabir Tito of Ward No 9, AKM Mosfequs Salehin Pilot of Ward No 14, Mahanagar Tati Dal joint convener Delwar Matubbar and former Chhatra Dal leader Imran Hossain.
The letter stated: "The BNP has decided not to participate in any elections under this government. However, you, as a member of the party, have neglected this decision in pursuit of personal interests."
"Despite being given the notice to show cause on June 1, you did not respond within the stipulated time, which is serious misconduct. By not withdrawing your candidacy, you have betrayed the aspirations of the vast democratic population of the country, including the families of those who have been victims of disappearances, murders and demonic torture by the despotic regime in power for the past 15 years," it said.
"As a result, in accordance with the rules of the BNP constitution, you have been expelled from all party positions, including the primary membership, for life. In the history of the struggle to save democracy, your name will be pronounced untrustworthy and considered treacherous like Mir Jafar," the letter added.
All the expelled leaders were vying for councillor positions in the KCC polls, scheduled for June 12.
On Saturday, the BNP issued show-cause notices against 41 leaders and activists, including the district unit Chhatra Dal president and general secretary, for participating in the upcoming Sylhet City Corporation (CCC) elections, disobeying the party decision.
The recipients have been asked to explain why organizational action will not be taken against them within the next 24 hours.
BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued the notices separately.
On Thursday, the BNP issued show-cause notices to 19 candidates of the Barisal City Corporation election for the same reason in separate letters.
Those facing the notice include former central Chhatra Dal leader Kamrul Hasan, who is vying for the mayoral post as an independent candidate, and three Barisal city unit joint conveners and members of the BNP contesting for general councilor posts.
On the other hand, in the upcoming Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) election, slated for June 21, there are 12 BNP leaders for general councillor positions and three for reserved women councillor positions. Five of them are general councillors and two are reserved women councillors.
Earlier, in defiance of the party decision, 29 BNP leaders contested the Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) election, with a dozen of them emerging victorious in the voting that saw a 48.75% turnout. All of them were expelled for life before the election, which took place on May 25.
